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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

'Tis the Season for Giving Thanks

Gathering with family and friends around a table loaded with good food is special at this time of year for most people. Many tables will have an empty chair for one who is no longer with us. Those who have lost loved ones since last Thanksgiving may find it difficult to celebrate and have joy, but in their hearts there is comfort and peace when that loved one is now celebrating the greatest time of giving thanks. Many are in hospital rooms this day fighting for their very lives, and some will be sitting down to a table with less than others. In all of this we follow Paul’s example and give thanks in the circumstances and praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Those who are not as fortunate to have a bountiful year can find hearty meals provided by charitable organizations across the country. These groups share not only with the food but also with the story of our Savior. Volunteering at one of these gatherings can be a real eye opener and will bring great joy to the heart. Watching the faces of children as well as adults partake of what others have shared brings a great deal of peace and hope to those who serve.

Many of our sons and daughters, husbands and wives, or even friends are across the ocean serving their country and missing out on the traditions of their families. We remember them and pray for their safe return.

As we take time to pause from our writing and celebrate with our loved ones, we can give thanks for all God has done for us in the past year even though it may have included some rejections and rather meager royalties. God’s plans are far greater than any we could come up with on our own. Let us remember those who are not as blessed as we are. Let us lift our voices in praise to the one true God, the God of Truth and Light and give thanks with a grateful heart for the Son who lived and died that we may eternal life in His presence.

5 comments:

Martha, thank YOU for reminding us about what is really important. My 98 year old grandmother passed away this year and I've felt the loss of her presence many times throughout the year. The biggest one will be at Christmas. Your blog reminded me to celebrate her this Thanksgiving.

Martha, thanks so much for this blog. After fighting cancer last year at this time (for the second time), this is year I am so thankful for another year of life and happiness. God has been so good to me. Also, earlier this week I was pondering on the best way to let my authors know how thankful I am for you and for the books you write. Being able to comment here gives me that opportunity. Thank each one of you for your prayers (so many of you kept me in prayer last year during my battle), thank you for your books and the message they convey, and thank you for "e-friendships," since I have not met you in person. I value my relationships with you, and I thank God for them. May each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

I can relate, Deb. I've been cancer free since 1999 when I had my second surgery and the lymph nodes were clear. God is good. My dad passed away two weeks before 12years ago, and I still miss him. He loved Thanksgiving. Thank you both for dropping by.

It's Thanksgiving! Yippee! Thanks Martha for posting this. I'm grateful for so many things. My 86 year old mom, who is also a cancer survivor and living with us, my daughter Meghan who is working with Youth With a Mission and been to Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, and heading to Spain and England in the New Year spreading the Gospel, my daughter Katie's graduation from high school after years of fighting an illness, and an awesome marriage of thirty years.

I'm so grateful to be part of this group and to see my very first novel published this year. And Deb, I had no idea what you were going through, be well girl! I love working with you, and Deb Marrie and the entire Realms team. Such a supportive encouraging group.

May God bless all of us with good health this coming year and lots of fun surprises along the way.

I'm thankful my 97 year old father spent Thanksgiving with my family. My wife, Sherry, and I have her mother living with us and to have our two remaining parents with us another year was wonderful. I was thankful for my son and daughter sitting at the table with us along with my son's wife and her father, mother, and sister. Each year, it seems our family circle dwindles and at the same time, grows with the addition of new nephews, nieces, friends, and loved ones. Thanks for Sarah Sutton, my co-author's daughter, spending time with us before she and my daughter went off to watch, ahem, vampires at the movies. My son, Sean, and I chose to go watch Muppets instead! Wocka, wocka!And, thanks to my Lord and Savior for inspiration and giving me the opportunity to be a published author and to tell some of the Story to end all Stories to the world this year.Thanks to Charisma Media for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful group of authors! Thanks, guys!